YIELDS: 6 – 8 serving(s)
PREP TIME: 5 mins
TOTAL TIME: 15 mins
What is funnel cake batter made of?
If this list of ingredients sounds familiar, it’s because it’s very similar to pancake batter. It’s a simple combination of flour, a little sugar, salt, buttermilk, eggs and baking powder, which gives funnel cakes their characteristic fluffiness. Instead of buttermilk, regular milk can be used, but the buttermilk gives it an irresistible tangy flavor that makes it addictive, even without filling.
Do I need a funnel to make a funnel cake?
Although this recipe calls for a funnel to pour the cake evenly, a measuring cup with a nozzle will also work.
What do you put on top of a funnel cake?
This answer could be endless. Classic choices like powdered sugar, whipped cream, no-bake ice cream, strawberry sauce and caramel sauce come to mind, but jams, jellies, peanut butter, Nutella and other spreads are always welcome at the party. Different types of fruit, shavings, cinnamon or honey are also delicious.
A radical option would be to omit sugar and opt for savory. Serve it with fried chicken fingers and syrup for a variation on waffled chicken. Dip it in onion gravy and forget the fries for a moment. Drizzle it with ranch and top it with crispy bacon, green onions and cheese, and you’ll wonder how it got there. Or forget that burrow and stick with classic and sweet.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 c. whole buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting
- Vanilla ice cream, optional
- Strawberries, optional
- Chocolate sauce, optional
Directions
- 1In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, heat 1 ½ inches of oil until the oil registers 375°F.
- 2In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk and eggs until well combined. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.
- 3Place ¾ cup of batter into a funnel with a ½-inch opening (plugged with your finger). Funnel the batter into the hot oil in a swirling motion to make a 6- to 7-inch round. Fry until golden brown on both sides, flipping after 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter.
- 4Dust funnel cakes with powdered sugar and serve warm. Top them with ice cream, strawberries, and chocolate syrup, if you like!
